One of the first real over-the-top gory zombie films to be inspired by Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) was released  6 years afterwards, directed by a Spanish filmmaker, but shot in England. It is also known by more than a few titles. I can remember looking it up in Phil Hardy’s Encyclopedia of Film and trying to figure out just what the real title was! Well, we are talking about Jorge Grau’s 1974 No profanar el sueño de los Muertos, which has been announced to be released on Blu-ray by Synapse Films this September.

Now the original title translates to Do Not Descrate the Sleep of the Dead, which is one title that I’ve never seen it listed as! It has been called The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue (which is the title Synapse is using), Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (one of the most common ones), Don’t Open the Window (the American re-title), and my personal favorite Breakfast at the Manchester Morgue! 

But come this September, you will get to see this film looking better than it probably ever has. That is one thing you can always count on from Synapse is the work they do, which is always immaculate. Here’s the details on this new release:

• Exclusive new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative
• New 5.1 English stereo surround remix made exclusively for the Synapse Films release
• Two audio commentaries featuring authors and film scholars Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson and Bruce Holecheck
• Restoration of the true original English language theatrical mono mix
• Jorge Grau – Catalonia’s Cult Film King (89 mins.) – This extensive feature-length documentary explores the life and films of director Jorge Grau (BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE)
• The Scene of the Crime – Giannetto De Rossi in Discussion from Manchester (16 Mins.) (BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE)
• Giannetto De Rossi – Q&A at the Festival of Fantastic Films, UK (43 Mins) (BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE)
• Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots
• Newly translated removable English SDH subtitles
• Liner notes booklet featuring writing from Spanish film scholar, Dr. Nicholas Schlegel
• Exclusive CD soundtrack of the haunting original score by Giuliano Sorgini
• Exclusive Steelbook™ artwork by Wes Benscoter
Included poster of Wes Benscoter’s amazing Steelbook artwork painting

Now the pre-order price is $49.95, which may seem a bit pricy for just one movie. But there are a few things to consider here. First and foremost, the quality product that Synapse has always turned out is about as best as you can get, so this print is going to look better than you’ve ever seen it before. And trust me, there is plenty of detail that we’ve probably never seen before. Secondly, there is a feature length documentary on director Grau. Then you have two commentaries, an interview with makeup artist Giannetto De Rossi, and so much more. PLUS… you get the soundtrack as well!

If you’re a fan of zombie films, then this is a very important entry in that sub-genre’s history and is not one to miss. It is very original, plenty of the blood and guts, and is damn creepy too! Or your copy now at Synapse Films.